Burson–Marsteller

In the first half of 2010, Burson-Marsteller achieved near double digit revenue growth, and it reports that so far all regions are on track to achieve substantial growth in 2010. It admits revenue was challenging during the first half 2009, but says a stronger growth trajectory in the latter half of the year set it up well for 2010.

The agency picked up business from Microsoft, Novartis, Sony, Lloyds TSB and Pfizer amongst others. While the UK, US and China operations grew the fastest, the firm continued to build its presence around the globe, taking a 30 per cent stake in Solski Burson-Marsteller in Poland, and re-entering the Malaysian market by partnering with Essence Communications.

B-M closed the period with 67 wholly-owned offices around the world.

Initiatives within the agency included the Global Social Media Check-up, a study of how the top 100 companies from the Fortune Global 500 index are using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and corporate blogs. The study has been viewed by more than 60,000 people online and the agency counts it as a highlight of the period.

At the end of 2009, Burson-Marsteller launched its new initiative, evidence-based communications, which it describes as a new scientific approach to communications that is driven by data. To generate interest and showcase the new tool, the firm held a worldwide evidence-based communications day in its offices across the globe. As part of this the tool was applied to current client issues.

Awards netted by the agency included: EMEA public affairs agency of the year at the SABRE awards 2009/10; best media relations campaign, best marcomms campaign and best social media campaign at the PRSA Renaissance Awards; and both African and German agency of the year at the 2009/10 SABRE awards. The agency has just crowned this raft of awards off with best international consultancy in the 2010 PRWeek Awards.